Pest deterrent

ABSTRACT

A repellent laser beam device for preventing pests, such as birds, from feeding on fruits in a field. The device is mounted on a tripod and housed in a weather-protected box. It is mounted so as to be adjustable in height and angle. A control unit causes a laser beam to sweep a field in vertical and horizontal patterns, frightening birds and other pests away. The laser beam is of a wavelength seen by birds or other animals and merely frightens them away rather than blinding them. The patterns and speed of the scanning device are variable. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery and includes a solar panel system for recharging the batteries. The system is operable by photocell controlled switches, eliminating the need for human, manual on-off switching.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/998,217 filed Dec. 3, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to pest control devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to laser beam devices useful for repelling pests such as birds.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Birds and animal pests are destructive to crops such as fruits, etc. Many devices have been proposed for frightening such pests away from a field or blinding or destroying pests, some of which are described below. One common device is a propane cannon which emits an intermittent loud noise, typically every five to ten minutes. It would be desirable to provide a system which frightens birds away from a field without the use of loud noises or mechanical devices which are effective over only a short distance and require substantial energy and maintenance.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,652, issued Sep. 6, 1994, to Johnson, describes a pest control apparatus which emits a laser beam which uses a scanner to scan over a defined agricultural area while destroying the sensory organs of the pest and thus incapacitating the pest. The laser beam of the Johnson device is trained on the crops and thus may cause crop damage.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,282, issued Jan. 12, 1999, to Odintsov describes a system for removing insects from a field by scanning the field by an aggregate light beam consisting of a search light and a superimposed laser light which attracts pests from the field and then turns away from the field with the trapped insects and dumps them at a distance away from the field where their eggs are laid in a non growth sustaining environment.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,551, issued Nov. 16, 1999, to Pueyo et al., describes a method for preserving an area against birds and pest animals by dislodging them from the area and permanently preventing them from settling in the area by using frightening devices such as rotating hunter mannequins, falcon imitators, and distress and special cries and other sound alarms.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,255 B1, issued Jun. 26, 2001, to Lenhardt et al., describes a method and apparatus for repelling birds from a specific area by using pulsing microwaves, vibration, or supersonic sound waves.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,949, issued Jun. 29, 1999, to Johnson, describes a method and apparatus for pest control by utilizing a laser beam to exterminate the pests behind solid barriers.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,384,570 B2, issued May 7, 2002, to Matsuyama, describes a battery pack with a solar panel recharging system.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,9908, issued Mar. 5, 2002, to Thomas, describes an apparatus employing a solar panel to recharge a battery for operating a device for scaring away pests, in particular, deer.

[0013] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a pest deterrent solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention is a repellent laser beam for preventing pests, such as birds, from feeding on fruits in an agricultural field. The device is mounted on a tripod and housed in a weather-protected box. The device is mounted so as to be adjustable in height and angle. In use, a control unit causes a laser beam to sweep a field in vertical and horizontal patterns, frightening birds and other pests away, preventing them from feeding on the fruits. The laser beam is of a wavelength seen by birds or other animals and merely frightens them away rather than blinding them. The patterns and speed of the scanning device are variable as controlled by the control system. The device is powered by a rechargeable gel pack battery. The device may be provided with a solar panel system for recharging the battery pack. Also, and importantly, the system is operable by photocell controlled switches, eliminating the need for human, manual on-off switching.

[0015] The range of wavelengths of the laser light beam is preferably from about 432 nanometers to about 633 nanometers. It is known that birds' eyes are sensitive to both ultraviolet light and human-visible light. This subject is discussed in the article “Bird vision—Ultrasexy” in The Economist, Aug. 9, 1997, pp. 71-72. This wavelength range is selected to maximize impact to a bird's eye by choosing wavelengths which are within the overlap area of ultraviolet and human-visible light, thus increasing the effectiveness of the inventive device.

[0016] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a system for frightening birds and other pests from feeding on fruit or other crops in a field.

[0017] It is another object of the invention to provide a system as above which is compact and requires a minimum amount of energy to operate.

[0018] It is a further object of the invention to provide a system as above which does not blind or harm the birds or other animals

[0019] Still another object of the invention is to provide a system as above which employs a scanning laser light which is visible to and has particular impact on birds.

[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide a system as above which is operable by photocell controlled switches, eliminating the need for human, manual on-off switching.

[0021] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system as above which is mounted on a tripod, allowing it to be raised or lowered to a desired height and the scanning laser to be directed at a desired angle relative to the ground.

[0022] Still another object of the invention is to provide a system as above which is operated on battery packs recharged with solar panels.

[0023] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0024] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pest deterrent system according to the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a detail view of the laser scanner of the pest deterrent system of FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a side detail view of the upper portion of the adjustable tripod of FIG. 1 showing the upper adjustable halyard.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a side detail view of the lower portion of the adjustable tripod of FIG. 1 showing the lower height adjustment.

[0029]FIG. 5 is a detail view of the lower portion of the control boxes of the present invention as mounted on the rear of the batteries of the system of FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 with a solar recharging system for charging the battery packs.

[0031] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0032] The present invention is a laser device for producing a scanning repellent laser beam for preventing pests, such as birds, from feeding on fruits in an agricultural field. The device is mounted on a tripod and housed in a weather-protected box. The device is mounted so as to be adjustable in height and angle. In use, a control unit causes a laser beam to sweep a field in vertical and horizontal patterns, frightening birds and other pests away, preventing them from feeding on the fruits. The laser beam is of a wavelength seen by birds or other animals and merely frightens them away rather than blinding them. The patterns and speed of the scanning device are variable as controlled by a control system. The device is powered by a rechargeable gel pack battery.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the inventive pest deterrent laser system designated as 10. System 10 comprises a tripod 12 and scanning laser units 14 supported thereby. Laser units 14 are pivotally and rotatably supported by laser support head platform 16 by means of laser rotatable pivot supports 18 respectively connecting platform 16 with laser pivot brackets 20 located on the underside of laser units 14. Laser units 14 are powered and controlled by power supply and laser control boxes 22, supported by power supply platform 26, and connected to laser units 14 by respective power and control signal cables 24.

[0034] Tripod 12 comprises a central mast having upper mast portion 28 and lower mast portion 30. Tripod legs 32 are spaced around and pivotally mounted to tripod lower mast portion 30 and rest on respective tripod feet 34. Tripod leg tie rods 36 attach lower mast portion 30 with legs 32 near feet 34 to form a rigid support for tripod 12 on the ground or other desired surface.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a detail view of the laser light-emitting end of a laser unit 14 wherein laser unit 14 is covered by laser unit waterproof upper housing 40 by means of laser unit housing supports 42. Radial scanning mirror 44 is driven by radial scanning mirror drive actuator 46 and axial scanning mirror 48 is driven by an axial scanning mirror drive actuator (not shown) so as to provide desired scanning of a laser beam axially emitted from an emitter (not shown). The laser beam emitter and scanning mirrors as acted upon by the scanning mirrors are well known as see U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,652, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, and see in particular column 4, lines 51-63 and the accompanying FIG. 1, thereof. The laser unit 14 has a casing 52 housing the internal parts of laser unit 14, upper housing 40 being attached thereto by supports 42. Laser unit casing 52 rests in laser unit support and cradle 54.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a side detail view of the adjustable tripod of the present invention showing the upper adjustable halyard and provision for adjusting the height of the laser support platform. Laser pivot bracket 20 is mounted to the underneath of laser unit support and cradle 54 and is rotatable relative to laser pivot support 18 and may be tightened at a desired angle by tightening laser pivot bracket locking thumbscrew 55 so as to determine the angle at which laser unit 14 is directed relative to the horizontal.

[0037] Supports 18 comprise vertical outer cylindrical tubes 56 connected at their respective bases to connecting platform 16. Cylindrical laser unit supports 57 rest within and are concentric with tubes 56 and are free to rotate therein to a desired position by action of a user. Supports 57 extend upward to laser pivot brackets 20 located on the underside of laser units 14.

[0038] Head platform halyard 58 is directed over halyard pulley 60 mounted to the top end of tripod upper mast portion 28 and is connected at one end to laser support head platform 16 by means of head platform halyard connector 64 and secured at the other end to halyard turnbuckle 66 mounted on tripod lower mast 30, thus allowing height adjustment of head platform 16 relative to power supply platform 26. Head platform 16 is supported by head platform sleeve 68, allowing up and down travel of head platform 16 relative to tripod upper mast portion 28.

[0039] A cam lock 70 comprises a lock cam 72 rotatably mounted to head platform sleeve 68 and is selectively rotated by manipulation of cam lock adjustment pin 74 mounted on a horizontal extension of head platform sleeve 68, such that lock cam 72 may be rotated into a locking position through a corresponding slit (not shown) in sleeve 68 and against upper mast portion 28. The lock cam 72 may be allowed to rotate into an unlocked position by loosening cam lock adjustment pin 74, thus allowing head platform 12 to be moved along mast upper portion 28.

[0040] Power supply platform 26 is supported by power supply platform sleeve 76, allowing up and down travel of power supply platform 26 relative to tripod lower mast portion 30. Mast guide track 77 extends vertically from a point near the intersection of legs 32 along the lower mast portion 30 and along the upper mast portion 28 to its upper end. Power supply platform sleeve 76 has a vertical wall slit (not shown) which allows sleeve 76 to travel along lower mast portion 30.

[0041] Power supply platform sleeve 76 includes a guide 78 at its base which slidingly fits over guide track 77, bridging the vertical wall slit to provide added sliding support for sleeve 76. In a similar manner, head platform sleeve 68 has a vertical wall slit (not shown) which allows sleeve 68 to travel along upper mast portion 28. Head platform sleeve 68 includes a guide 79 at its base which sliding fits over guide track 77, ridging the vertical wall slit to provide added sliding support for sleeve 68.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a side detail view of the lower portion of the adjustable tripod of FIG. 1 showing the lower height adjustment. Tripod legs 32 are connected with mast lower portion 30 by tripod leg pivots 80.

[0043] Power supply platform locking track 82 is mounted on the lower portion of sleeve 76 by rivets 84 so as to extend vertically downward therefrom along mast lower portion 30 at a location extending below and avoiding interference with tripod leg pivots 80, halyard 58 and turnbuckle 66. A locking track groove 86 is spaced below sleeve 76 and extends along the substantial length of locking track 82, bisecting same. Vertically spaced locking screws 88 pass through locking track groove 86 and threadingly engage lower mast portion 30 so as to allow the locking of locking track 82 in a desired location by first loosening screws 88, moving track 82 upward or downward to a desired location, and then tightening screws 88, thus, locking track 82 against lower mast portion 30. The result of this adjustment is to position power supply platform 26 at the desired height as it is connected with locking track 82 by means of sleeve 76 and rivets 84.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a laser control 90 corresponding to an individual laser unit 14. Laser control 90 includes an off-on switch 92 for activating the laser unit 14 by means of battery power from power supply and laser control box 22. The laser control 90 may be independently mounted on tripod 12 or mounted on or within box 22. An indicator light 94 indicates whether the power is on or off to the control 90.

[0045] The laser beam emanating from the scanning laser unit 14 may be adjusted for horizontal scan speed by control knob 96 and for horizontal scan amplitude by control knob 98. The laser beam may also be adjusted for vertical scan speed by control knob 100 and for vertical scan amplitude by control knob 102. These controls control the radial scanning mirror drive actuator 46 (see FIG. 2) and the axial scanning mirror drive actuator (not shown) in a known manner to obtain a desired scanning pattern and speed.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a solar panel system for recharging the batteries in power supply and laser control boxes 22 wherein solar charging system 110 includes solar panel assemblies 112. Assemblies 112 are mounted to laser support head platform 16 (see FIG. 1) by support hinges 114 which allow the rotation of the panel assemblies 112 to expose them at a desired direction relative to the sky. The solar panel assemblies 112 are held in place by braces 118 extending therebetween and connected along the sides of the panel assemblies 112. The angle of the solar panel assemblies 112 may be changed by changing lengths of the braces 118 such as by replacement with a longer or shorter brace or having an adjustable length brace (not shown).

[0047] A solar panel assembly 112 includes solar panel 124 which is mounted on solar panel backing plate 122 by means of mounts 125 and is protected from damage with a transparent cover. Each solar panel 124 has a light sensor 126 and a sensitivity adjustment component having an adjustment screw 128 and includes an array of solar electric elements which produce electrical energy upon exposure to light. Solar panels 124 have positive leads 134 and negative leads 136 connected with regulators located within power supply and laser control boxes 22 which allow the charging of battery packs therein (not shown). The use of a regulator between a solar panel and a battery pack to be charged is well known as shown, for example by Matsuyama in U.S. Pat. No. 6,384,570 B2 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0048] Solar panel 124 is spaced by at least an eighth of an inch above backing plate 122 to avoid damage to the solar panel, a fibre washer being preferred as a non-conduction standoff. The use of 30 Watt solar panels to replenish draw from laser units on the batteries is preferred. The two 12 Volt 20 Ag sealed lead acid batteries are preferred for use with the solar panels. The preferred regulator is a 12 Volt, 4 amp charge controller housed in the battery box to maintain and charge the battery packs. The solar panels and charge regulator will replenish electrical current drawn from the battery pack by the laser units during use, eliminating the need to recharge the battery packs on a daily basis. The system is also equipped with photo cells 140 in each of the lids of the laser control boxes 22 to turn the system on and off automatically at dusk and dawn.

[0049] The system has an on-off switch allowing operation during the day and shutting down the unit(s) at night. The light sensitivity adjustment determines at what light level the unit(s) are switched on or off and adjustment is made with the screw 128. A small, flat head screwdriver is useful in adjusting the light sensitivity component to change the light level at which the units 14 will switch on and off (all units have been factory set to the same level). Adjustment may be performed when the current light condition is at the level the unit is required to switch.

[0050] For increasing light condition (dawn) the sensitivity adjustment screw is turned counter-clockwise until the output is off, then it is turned clockwise until the output is on. For decreasing light condition (dusk) the sensitivity screw 128 is turned clockwise until the output is off and then it is turned counter-clockwise until the output is on. It is noted that the same set point is used to switch the output on or off, i.e., either the dawn or dusk procedure may be used.

[0051] The sensitivity adjustment component screw 128 is multi-turn in operation and, due to the built in switching delay, it is advisable to turn the screw a quarter turn at a time and wait for 30 seconds in order to allow the switching process to occur. If switching does not occur, then the screw is turned in quarter turn increments, waiting 30 seconds between each quarter turn, until the unit switches.

[0052] In operation, scanning laser units 14, adjustably mounted on tripod 12, are secured at the desired height and directions so as to scan areas above the fruits to be protected from birds and other pests. Preferably the height is set such that the laser beams emanating therefrom skim the top of the fruit crop. The controls 90 are manipulated by the user so as to activate the laser beams and control their scanning patterns by control knobs 96, 98, 100, and 102 so the desired height, width, and rate of scan are achieved. Coverage may be selected to cover the most area of the fruit field, or to avoid exposure of certain locations, such as roads or paths used by humans, to the laser beam. The beams should be periodically adjusted by the operator so that pesky birds with not become accustomed to a particular pattern. The beams may also be adjusted to scan in a particular direction in applications where birds tend to habitually approach a fruit crop field from that direction.

[0053] The height of the laser units 14 may be adjusted as supported on head platform support 16 to a desired point along upper mast portion 28 by means of halyard 58 and locked in position by lock cam 72 on head platform sleeve 68. The power supply and control platform 26 may be adjusted to a desired height along lower mast portion 30 by means of locking track 82, depending from power supply and control platform sleeve 76 and locked in place by locking screws 88. It may be necessary to move the power supply and control platform 26 upward to allow the raising of head support platform 26 due to the fixed length of control signal cables 24. It will be necessary to periodically lower both head support platform 16 and power supply and control platform 26 for maintenance, adjustment of controls, and the changing of rechargeable gel batteries.

[0054] A desirable range of laser operating wavelengths for scaring birds is from about 432 nanometer to about 633 nanometers. This range is within the overlap of ultraviolet and human visible light which has the most impact on the eyes of birds.

[0055] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A pest deterrent system for protecting fruit crops from flying pests comprising: at least one laser device for producing a laser light beam; a scanner system located on said laser device for directing said laser light beam over a scan pattern; means for supporting said at least one laser device in a stationary position relative to the ground; said laser device being supported at such a level relative to the ground as to generate a scan pattern above said fruit crop.
 2. The pest deterrent system of claim 1, wherein said at least one laser device is so configured as to emit a laser light beam at a wavelength between about 432 nanometers to about 633 nanometers.
 3. The pest deterrent system of claim 2, further comprising controls for actuating said at least one laser device and adjusting said scan pattern horizontal scan speed and amplitude and vertical scan speed and amplitude.
 4. The pest deterrent system of claim 3, wherein said means for supporting said at least one laser device is vertically adjustable so as to allow said laser beam pattern to skim the top of a particular fruit crop.
 5. The pest deterrent system of claim 4, wherein said means for supporting said at least one laser device is a tripod having a vertical mast and a head platform support for supporting said laser device platform, said head platform being adjustable for elevation relative to said vertical mast.
 6. The pest deterrent system of claim 5, wherein said head support platform comprises means for mounting said at least one laser device for rotation and pivot relative to said head platform so as to aim said laser beam in a particular horizontal and vertical direction thereby intercepting pests such as birds who habitually arrive from a particular direction and elevation.
 7. The pest deterrent system of claim 6, further comprising a support cradle and a weather proof cover for each said laser device.
 8. The pest deterrent system of claim 6, wherein said means for mounting said at least one laser device comprises a vertical truncated hollow cylinder for each said laser device affixed to said head support platform and a coaxial cylinder mounted for rotation and attached to said support cradle of each said laser device.
 9. The pest deterrent system of claim 8, further comprising a pivot bracket mounted on each said support cradle and having a bore and a tightening screw associated therewith, said coaxial cylinder having a bore at an upper end thereof for receiving said tightening screw whereby each said laser device is directed at a desired elevational angle.
 10. The pest deterrent system of claim 5, said tripod further comprising a halyard attached to said head support and so arranged relative to said mast as to allow the hoisting or lowering of said head support platform relative to said mast according to requirements of a particular fruit crop.
 11. The pest deterrent system of claim 5, further comprising a power supply and control platform, said platform being mounted on said mast below said head support platform, said power supply and control platform being adjustable for elevation relative to said vertical mast.
 12. The pest deterrent system of claim 11, further comprising a power supply and laser control box corresponding to each said laser device located on said power supply and control platform.
 13. The pest deterrent system of claim 12, further comprising a rechargeable battery pack housed in each said power supply and laser control box.
 14. The pest deterrent system of claim 13, wherein said controls for actuating said at least one laser device and adjusting said scan pattern horizontal scan speed and amplitude and vertical scan speed amplitude and scan speed are located within respective power supply and control boxes.
 15. The pest deterrent system of claim 14, wherein said head support platform comprises a supporting sleeve surrounding said mast said supporting sleeve comprising a lock for locking said head support platform at a selected position along said mast, and said power supply and control support comprises a supporting sleeve surrounding said mast, said supporting sleeve having a depending locking track and associated locking screws adapted for locking said track and said power supply and control support at a selected position along said mast.
 16. The pest deterrent system of claim 15, wherein there are two of said laser devices, each laser device being supported on said head support platform on opposing ends thereof relative to said mast.
 17. The pest deterrent system of claim 13, further comprising a solar panel system located on said tripod for recharging said batteries.
 18. The pest deterrent system of claim 17, wherein said solar panel system comprises at least one solar panel attached to said head support platform and a regulator located in each said power supply and laser control box, said solar panel being electrically connected to said regulator, said regulator being electrically connected with said battery in each said power supply and laser control box, whereby said batteries are recharged to compensate for electrical draw thereon by the operation of said laser services.
 19. A method for deterring pests such as birds from feeding on a fruit crop in a field comprising the step of placing a pest deterrent laser system in a fruit crop field, and the step of directing at least one scanning laser light beam over said fruit crop so as to skim over said fruit crop.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said at least one laser light beam has a wavelength of from about 432 nanometer to about 633 nanometers. 